Heated Steering Wheel - Installation on my 2017

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TXFRDOwner

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Left side works almost perfectly...1 exception...the resume and cancel for cruise.

Push the Resume button once...it cancels Cruise...push it again and it Resumes Cruise.

Cancel button does nothing.

It’s operation is like original Expy switch...1 button does both Cancel and Resume.

View attachment 25184

Right side was a little more complicated...I had to swap two pins on the right switch connector on the steering wheel to get full functions...with the following exceptions:

In order from right to left...
Volume switch works perfect.

Voice command switch is opposite...push mute to talk and vice versa.

Seek switch is opposite...push up, the seek goes down and vice versa.

These are all quirks I can live with for now...until I need another project :)


View attachment 25185

If one could modify the circuitoards inside the switches like such, that would work right ?

These are the 2016-2018 ford explorer diagrams

SWC Audio RH - 17 Explorer_Page_2.jpg SWC Cruise LH - 17 Explorer.jpg
 

star-art

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I think so, yes, but I'd still like to know the exact resistance values involved just to be sure.

BTW, since I have both a '17 and an '18 here, I'd like to see if it's possible to put an '18 F150 wheel in my '17. I like the way the buttons work on the '18 better and it would be nice to have the same set of controls in both vehicles.

As Step 1 toward that goal, I got an extra steering wheel switch wire harness from a '17. This will make it a bit easier to measure the exact resistance values when each button is pressed. I can pop out the switches, put them in the extra harness, and take measurements without having to probe underneath the column.

Next up would be getting an F150 steering wheel and measuring those values. With both charted, I could then determine exactly what might be involved in getting an '18 style wheel to work. If that won't work for some reason, we know the Explorer wheel can be used instead. :)
 

TXFRDOwner

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Do they share the same style clockspring ? Between 17 & 18 ?

With the explorer steering wheel retrofit I can use the explorer’s or the 15-19 F150’s

I guess it would be the same since the 18 Expedition has the same wheel as the 15-20 F-150

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star-art

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I don't know about the clockspring. Actually, taking a fresh look at this again, I can see that using an '18 Expy (F150) wheel would mean losing the "joystick" controls on the upper right side of the wheel. Since those are needed to use the right hand instrument cluster SYNC info display, that's a no-go. :(
 

K-austi3

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What did you do for the FCIM? You had mentioned that it needs to be enabled, but I don’t recall seeing you verify what you changed if anything? Or does it not need to be changed on the older vehicles without a gateway module? TIA
You should now have a nice Heated Steering Wheel installed and functioning in your Expy...an option Ford should have had available, but you will now be able to utilize/enjoy.

And you will have a very uniquely mod'd Expy to boot :) Currently, there are not many 2017s on the road with this feature.This mod will probably work very easily on 2015 & 2016s...please post back here when you try it.

Modding a 2018 appears to be even cheaper...it looks like the 2018 F-150 steering wheel is the same for the 2018 Expy...you will still need the HSW, HSW module, wiring harness, and HSW clockspring, but at least you could save some $$ by using your Expy airbag. Please post back if any 2018 owners update/upgrade their non-HSW Expy's...I know the HSW is an option on the 2018 and up Expy, but I'm sure not everyone selected that option when purchasing.
 

ExpyPlat

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I haven't found the thread on the F150 forum with part numbers. Anyone have that? I must be overlooking it. Also, has anyone figured out other steering wheels that work? Or is the Explorer kind of the best option? Thank you so much to the OP! I almost didn't buy my 15 because you can't get a HSW and then I found this thread. I live in MN and coach a bunch of hockey. Nothing better than getting in a cold vehicle and having nice warm hands instantly.
 

TXFRDOwner

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Right side was a little more complicated...I had to swap two pins on the right switch connector on the steering wheel to get full functions...with the following exceptions:

In order from right to left...
Volume switch works perfect.

Voice command switch is opposite...push mute to talk and vice versa.

Seek switch is opposite...push up, the seek goes down and vice versa.

These are all quirks I can live with for now...until I need another project :)


View attachment 25185



I found a guy that was able to re-label the switches for me.

First, I removed the individual pieces from the Switch Assemblies

258772589_593654888526741_2703848539948366024_n.jpg


Sanded them off, repainted them black completely.

Re-created the logos with no background. Sent the files off to the guy. He loaded the files in his software and laser etched them.

Came out looking very very decent

262097863_442972857232360_8780522901712124467_n (1).jpg

261962832_1032159320686329_3890698317293506654_n.jpg
 

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